Residents Protest Youngpoong Seokpo Smelter Relocation Talks: "Regional Livelihood at Risk"

Criticism of Administration Biased Toward Environmental Groups' Claims

Residents of Bonghwa County in Gyeongbuk Province and the nearby city of Taebaek in Gangwon Province have protested against the government's and Gyeongbuk Province's discussions regarding the relocation and closure of the Youngpoong Seokpo Smelter, demanding the protection of their right to livelihood.

The Bonghwa-Taebaek-Seokpo Joint Struggle Committee for the Protection of Livelihoods (the Joint Struggle Committee) held a rally in front of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office on the 4th, asserting, "Administration biased toward the claims of certain environmental groups is threatening the survival of our region."

Members of the 'Bonghwa-Taebaek-Seokpo Joint Struggle Committee for the Protection of Livelihoods,' composed of residents from Bonghwa County in Gyeongbuk Province and Taebaek City in Gangwon Province, held a rally on the 4th in front of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office, urging the suspension of discussions regarding the relocation and closure of the Youngpoong Seokpo Smelter. Provided by the Joint Struggle Committee

In a statement, the Joint Struggle Committee emphasized, "The Seokpo Smelter has been a core industrial facility leading South Korea's industrialization for over half a century and is the lifeline for local residents," adding, "If the smelter disappears, the regional economy and community will collapse."

The committee also stated, "Since 2019, the smelter has invested approximately 100 billion won annually to establish a zero-discharge wastewater system and facilities to prevent the spread of pollution, continuing its environmental improvement efforts," and noted, "The local environment is improving, as evidenced by the presence of otters in nearby streams."

The Joint Struggle Committee also pointed out that residents have been excluded from the discussion process. They insisted, "The government should act as a doctor who heals, not as one who wields a knife," and demanded, "Gyeongbuk Province must come up with solutions that enable residents, the smelter, and the local community to coexist."

A representative of the committee stated, "Residents of Bonghwa County and Taebaek City share their fate with the smelter and will never accept unilateral sacrifice," adding, "The residents will unite and fight to the end."